1. Truly, you were solace for the oppressed, their mighty defender,
Whenever fortresses resisted them in their affairs,

2. Like an unassailable fortress of lion cubs whose den cannot be approached.
If only—but never did you exercise authority over us,

3. Nor were you among those who disgraced it.
Your soul disdained wealth out of piety,

4. And you honored yourself thereby.
Then you refrained, like one who restrains himself lest he dishonor it.

5. You toiled at it, a cautious laborer,
Certain that God would ultimately judge it.

6. So none faulted you for a thing—their souls were convinced of it.
You lived virtuously in the wilderness, just,

7. Fulfilling its rights, never betraying them.
You died fettered. Still it weeps in widowhood for you

8. And with unstanching tears.
When the warbling doves begin their laments

9. In the lush treetops on the branches’ boughs,
My eyes weep over the good days now gone

10. As succeeding tribulations commence.
I recalled days past and nights

11. When safety dwelt in them, justice too.
But when morning comes, the times have changed.

12. What was fresh has spoiled, turned fetid.
It lived well when you made it comfortable.

13. But many are its guiles now.
Had death taken another, you’d not have found

14. One so generous to it while you lived.
Now who will be there for the orphans and poor

15. And the widow overcome by her moans—
Though she is not ill, just starving, and finds

16. None to aid her hunger after you?
You were refreshing rain for her and green meadows

17. Like the abundant pools of the raging sea.
If the world is bound to pass, and its people too,

18. When justice goes, its time has surely come.
It has settled, but its comfort is lost.

19. No good remains when its gentleness goes.
The outskirts wept for him; they shuddered at his loss.

20. The plains and hills grieved for him.
Every land his justice touched

21. Yearns for him, filled with ardent longing.
The righteous women wept for his justice,

22. And the unborn for what they missed of him.
When he left, they shuddered and knew

23. Their intimacy and trustee were gone.
Their wombs shone radiantly for him,

24. Glimpsing the blessings within them.
If their wombs shone and brought good tidings

25. When he died and entered them,
Adorning them with his presence and dignity

26. As he once adorned the lands—
They made his grave a fragrant bed;

27. Blessèd is the embryo in its womb.
May our Lord water, from Deir Sam'an, a tomb

28. Where the best of days lies buried.
Brilliant lamps—abundant pilgrims—

29. Torches of sorrow without respite.